Have had another session with Rebel at Peter's. My mistakes with him help me with Balthazar. My successes with balthazar perhaps help with Rebel. I'm not sure. Rebel is another OTTB, like Balthazar. He reminds me a bit of Balthazar. He knows the drill, knows how to be polite, to do what is asked, but he's not really THERE. Hard to keep his attention - and when he's had enough or is confused or anxious, he tends to just loom into my space so that no action is possible, my field of vision is filled with chestnut horse. But that's another problem. Another post.

Today I worked with Balthazar. We both did really well with some of the 7 games, particularly the driving game which we did so abysmally at Peter's. I'm not asking for a complete circle, that he tries and does so well for 1/4 or half a circle is plenty at the moment. For some reason, Balthazar just seems a different horse. Perhaps because I'm doing a better job but I suspect it has more to do with distance from Clicker Training. Terrible thing, I know. I still believe in c/t - just not for Balthazar. Still divided a little - philosophically speaking - about the ethics of using pressure to get a horse to do things but am muddling along nevertheless.

So we did the driving and porcupine game, some backing and then I took him out to the front paddock where I had placed two 20 litre drums to use as focal points for figure 8 practice. He did very very well. Once he got the idea he was terrific. Did notice some ear pinning during the change of direction in the middle. Not sure why but reminded me of how he used to pin his ears when we did fast direction changes a few years ago.

Also asked him to circle and step over the dressage arena log barrier. Once he understood what I was asking for he showed some energy and enthusiam. Rather than walking over it he jumped. Quit then and took him for a leisurely pick. Very proud of him. Happy too as the feeling I get from *us* is more relaxed, more natural, perhaps because I'm *doing* rather than overthinking things.